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Galium odorata ( GAL - ee - um oh - dor - AY - stomach ) is an herbaceousperennial groundcoverthat is native to Europe , Asia , and North Africa .
This member of theRubiaceaefamily is a hardy , modest - maintenance plant that makes a salutary summation to shady locations , such as woodlands . The plant even prosper when planted under Black walnut tree .
The plant ’ genus name , odorata , is derive from the Greek “ gala ” which means milk . It is a reference to the fact that similar plants are sometimes used in the clotting of Milk River for high mallow production .
The specific epithet , “ odorata ” means fragrant and is a reference to the plant ’ sweet scented blossoms and leaves .
Common names let in :
Woodruff is an Old English full term which intend unraveling woods . This probably refers to the creeping growth habit of the plant life .
Sweet Woodruff – Galium Odoratum Care
Size & Growth
genus Galium odoratumtypically grow to be about 8 ” inches grandiloquent , but it can grow as tall as 12 ” inch marvelous . single plants have a spread of about 18 ” inches wide .
Flowering & Fragrance
The pretty , showy , fragrant flowers blossom in the springtime , typically throughout the month of April and May . blossom are small , four petaled , white and honey odourise .
Foliage
The attractive deep green , fragrant leaves are fizgig shaped . They get in sets of 6 to 8 in a gyre around the square shank .
When the foliage is crushed , snub or otherwise disturbed , the leaves emit a strong olfactory sensation of newly - mop hay .
Because this pleasant fragrance grows even stronger when the leafage is dried , Sweet Scented Bedstraw leaves are a mutual component part in potpourri and sachets .
Light & Temperature
Sweet Woodruff is an excellent ground covering in louche places , and it can do well in unclouded pic ramble from partial to full shade . The plant life is wintertime hardy in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8 .
Watering & Feeding
This shade loving plant care average - to - wet soil .
Soil & Transplanting
Even though this plant like consistent moisture in the stain , it ’s important to ensure skillful drainage .
Like all plants , if the ascendant are force to stay inert for prolonged full point of prison term , origin rotting can typeset in .
Galium odoratum can tolerate a wide grasp of soil pH stratum . It does well in acidulent to alkaline soils with degree ranging from 4.3 to 8.3 . [ reservoir ]
Grooming & Maintenance
In the summertime , it ’s especially important to water regularly to encourage ripe growth . In very hot , ironical conditions , this industrial plant may go inactive and die back .
Do n’t worry , though , it will regrow from the roots when the weather condition cool and rains return .
In ideal conditions , ontogeny can get out of control . If this happens , you may just mow Galium odoratum back with your lawnmower to prevent undesirable facing pages .
How To Propagate Sweet Woodruff – Galium odorata
Sweet Woodruff is easy to distribute by sow seed , rooting cuttings or dividing and separate mature plants . It ego sow well and also spread by creeping roots .
If you ’re going to sow seed , you ’ll need to expose it to cold during the wintertime and then sow it early on in the spring directly into a prepared garden bed .
In spring , you’re able to take deal cuttings to settle in water or in moist soil .
In leaping or autumn , you’re able to split the existing plants to double your land insurance coverage .
Galium Odoratum Pest or Disease Problems
This rugged , powerfully scented industrial plant is not dependent to louse depredation . If properly cared for , it will not experience any disease problem .
As with all plants , place upright in piddle will cause tooth root hogwash and other fungal trouble .
There are no toxic effect reported for this edible herbaceous plant .
Is Sweet Woodruff Considered Invasive?
In ideal grow conditions , Sweet Scented Bedstraw can become aggressive , verging on invading . As mentioned , if it get out of hand , it can just be mow down .
The distribution of this flora is quite limited throughout the United States , and it is not think incursive overall .
However , it has been listed as invasive by the city of Ann Arbor Michigan Parks and Recreation , and also by the Native Plant Society of Oregon . [ author ]
Suggested Uses For Galium Odoratum
The sweetly scented leaves of this plant are very utilitarian in potpourris and sachets , and they are also used commercially in the qualification of fragrance .
This edible herbaceous plant also makes a good addition to some type of tea and other beverages .
The leaves are a independent component of a beverage experience as May Wine , which is a combination of white wine , pineapple , orange and Sweet Woodruff .
This pretty , mellifluous - scented plant with white-hot flower is a heavy addition to your rock garden , herb garden or as a pleasant border in a shady place , especiallyaround a terrace or porchwhere its scent will total to the ambiance .
Sweet Woodruff is the gross option as a naturalise ground covering in a wooded area . We see it naturalized in a timberland setting amongst tempestuous violets and other lifelike plant .
